The Dance: The History Of American Minstrelsy at Richmond Shepard Theatre

In honor of Black History Month, InThaCut Inc. presents the NY Premiere of the satire The Dance: The History Of American Minstrelsy, a two-man show written by Jason Christophe White, and co-directed and performed by Jason Christophe White and Aaron White, playing at the the Richmond Shepard Theatre from 22 Feb - 12 Mar 2007.

The Dance: The History Of American Minstrelsy educates audiences about the fascinating history of American minstrelsy from the perspective of two African-American performers in blackface makeup who challenge the audience to reflect on the deep entrenchment of racial stereotypes in our culture. Using past and present day images and a text developed from six years of research, as well as an arsenal of props taken from two suitcases, The Dance ultimately helps us realize that no matter what race we are, we all wear masks.

Blackface was an important performance tradition in American theater for over 100 years. White performers used burnt cork and later greasepaint or shoe polish to blacken their skin and exaggerate their lips. Stereotypes embodied in the stock characters of blackface minstrelsy played a significant role in proliferating racist images and attitudes. Currently, blackface minstrelsy is not taught in many schools and colleges because of its controversial nature.

The Dance: The History Of American Minstrelsy has been supported by and featured on KCET�s Life and Times (PBS), The NAACP Theater Awards, KAOS Network, CalArts Theater, Inthacut Inc. and Mark Greenfield.